Man Convicted on Second-Degree Murder

Circuit Judge Brantley Clark sentenced Christopher Morgan on Thursday to 20 years in prison as a principal to second-degree murder.Morgan, 26, of 420 N. Kimbrel Ave., No. 38, and Tanner Joseph Collins forced their way into Steven Gulck’s Springfield home on Nov. 21, 2010. They knocked him unconscious, bound him to a chair then ransacked his house looking for valuables.Collins stayed in the house after Morgan left and shot Gulck. Gulck, 48, was able to free himself and call 911, but died on the operating table from his wounds. Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford took Collins to trial in August and jurors convicted him of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm. Collins was later sentenced to life in prison.Morgan pleaded no contest in May to principal to burglary of a dwelling while armed, principal to robbery with a firearm and principal to second-degree murder with a firearm. He testified truthfully at Collins’ trial, a condition of his plea.On Thursday, Clark followed the terms of the plea agreement and ordered Morgan to prison for 20 years, with a minimum mandatory of 10 years behind bars.

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